Improvement in car couplings and brakes



UNITED STATES FRANK M. oAnPBELL, OF

PATENT OrrIoE.

CROW WING, MINNESOTA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAR COUPLINGS AND BRAKES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 169,957, dated November 16, 1875; application filed September 11, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK M. CAMPBELL, of Crow Wing, in the county. of Crow Wing and State of Minnesota, have invented a new and Improved Oar Coupling and Brake, of

which the following is a specification:

My invention consists of a novel arrangement of self-coupling apparatus, also con trived for uncoupling without attention from the attendant in case a car falls through or flies the track; and it also consists of a brake contrivance so connected with the aforesaid coupling that the brakes are let free by the coupling, and thrown on the wheels by a spring whenever the coupling disconnects.

Figure l is a plan of a couple of cars inverted, and horizontal section of the draw heads, showing my improved coupling and brake attachment. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal section of the draw-heads and side elevation of the cars, and Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the draw-heads and couplings.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A represents the draw-heads; B, the doublecoupler; (l, the single one, and D the uncoupling slide. l

The double coupler consists of a couple of spring-hooks, between which the other, which is a dartheaded piece, is pressed, so as to couple automatically when the cars come to gether.

The uncoupling is effected by forcing the slide D between the heads of the double coupler, theslide being worked by the handlever E and the bell-crank F. The brakes H are contrived to be pressed on the wheels I by a spring, J, and they are held off the wheels by a hook, K, and rod L. The hooks are pivoted to the buflers or draw-heads, and provided with long arms, which are shown extended forward, and bearin g each against the opposite coupler. It is apparent that, in consequence of this arrangement, the hooks will turn on their pivots and release the rod L whenever the couplers separate. Hence the brakes will be automatically applied whenever two cars are disconnected. It is, however, generally undesirable that the brakes should be applied except in case of accident as, for instance,when a car jumps the track. A le\'er,N, is accordingly employed to keep the brakes off when it is required to disconnect cars in the usual way, in and about depots, 85c. Said lever is connected to the rod L, so as to draw it forward, and having a studpin, 0, or other contrivance for holding it; or the rod may extend through and hook up in a pin at theend of the platform.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire .to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination of the double springcoupler B, single dart-headed .coupler O, and the slide 1), substantially as specified.

2. The combination of the spring-brakes H, rod L, pivoted hook K, and a coupler, B or G, as shown and described.

FRANK M. CAMPBELL.

Witnesses:

W. W. HARTLEY, W. H. LELAND. 

